Automatic bagger of groceries sundries

ABSTRACT

THIS INVENTION IS A NOVEL WAY TO IMPROVE AND ELIMINATE EXTRA MOTION AND LOST TIME IN THE PACKAGING OF GROCERIES AND MOST OF THE ITEMS FOUND IN SUPERMARKETS AND STORES. AFTER OBSERVING FOR MANY YEARS THE OLD MANNER OF PACKAGING CUSTOMERS&#39;&#39; ITEMS, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE CASHIER MUST PICK UP EACH ITEM TO PRICE, AND SHE EITHER SETS IT BACK DOWN OR GIVES IT A TOSS TO THE FAR END OF THE CHECKOUT COUNTER. WHY NOT BE ABLE TO BAG AT THE SAME TIME, AS YOU CHECK OUT? THIS INVENTION OPERATES ON A SMALL RUGGED 110 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SIMPLY PLUG IN ANYWHERE. THE MACHINE WILL FIT UNDER ANY CONVENTIONAL GROCERY COUNTER AND BE OUT OF THE WAY. IT CAN BE USED AT ALL TIMES OR IT CAN BE BY-PASSED.

Feb. 13, 1973 P. SCHOHL AUTOMATIC BAGGER OF GROCERIES SUNDRIES 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 9, i971 Fl G. 2

VENTOR I Feb. 13, 1973 P. SCHOHL 3,715,862

AUTOMATIC BAGGER OF GROCERIES SUNDRIES Filed Aug. 9, 1971 5 Sheets-Sheeta INVENTOR Feb. 13, 1973 P. SCHOHL 3,715,3

' AUTOMATIC BAGGER OF GROCERIES SUNDRIES Filed Aug. '9, 1971 I 5Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR' AUTOMATIC BAGGER OF GROCERIES SUNDRIES FiledAug. 9, 1971 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR United States Patent 3,715,862AUTOMATIC BAGGER 0F GROCERIES SUNDRIES Paul G. Schohl, Einig St.,Titusville, Fla. 32780 Filed Aug. 9, 1971, Ser. No. 95,897 Int. Cl. B65b67/12 U.S. Cl. 53390 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This inventionis a novel way to improve and eliminate extra motion and lost time inthe packaging of groceries and most of the items found in supermarketsand stores. After observing for many years the old manner of packagingthe customers items, it was noted that the cashier must pick up eachitem to price, and she either sets it 'back down or gives it a toss tothe far end of the checkout counter. Why not be able to bag at the sametime, as you check out? This invention operates on a small rugged 110electrical system. Simply plug in anywhere. The machine will fit underany conventional grocery counter and be out of the way. It can be usedat all times or it can be by-passed.

This machine not only makes packaging much easier, it also furnishes thebag (FIG. 1) 67 to cashier. When using automatic bagging as shown inFIG. 2, it automatically keeps the countertop clear at other times. Theautomatic bagger will hold the bag open by a vacuum system (FIG. 3) 20,19, 17. 'Also, it employs a tilt attitude (FIG. 3). This tilted pistonis only 15" from the cash register. The cashier can price with the righthand; then, at the same time, place objects in tilted piston (FIG. 2).This tilt attitude enables the packaging of irregular shapes withoutfalling sidewise or tipping. When the bag is full, fingertip touch onthe up (FIG. 1) 53, causes the vacuum system (FIG. 1) 20, to terminatethrough automatic release of microswitch (FIG. 1) 72, Energizing motor(FIG. 1) 3, tilt piston (FIG. 3) 1 goes to vertical (FIG. 1) 1.Interpiston plate (FIG. 1) rises to top, with packed bag 51 and machinestops. Packed bag is now at counter-top 69 while the bag was risinginside of piston 1. At the same time, the folded bag is rising inbag-feed (FIG. 1A) to counter 69, via adapted 67. To start fillinganother bag, push down button (FIG. '1) 54. Interpiston plate (FIG. 1)25 will lower 13''.

EXPLANATION OF VIEWS FIG. 1

Front view of automatic bagger and bag-feed plugged into each other andboth energized via 45, FIG. 1. This is the operational attitude of both,note bag feed under the counter and automatic bagger is flush with 11" x14" opening cut in present counter. (Better shown in FIG. 2.) The packedbag is at countertop level, and a fresh bag 51A is ready to go into thepiston 1 after pushing down on 54, FIG. 1. You will note from the pronefront view that under piston 1 are rack 40 and H-member 24 in upposition resting in guide 23. This group 40, 24, FIG. 4, rises andlowers; however, 23 guide is stationary. (Better shown in FIG. 1.) FIG.1 showing vacuum 20, which is a vacuum system placed in an insulated boxwith a built-in bafile to cut down on the noise, automatic bagger willoperate without bag feed simply by unplugging it from receptacle 49.Also the vacuum may be removed by unplugging 50. The complete machineembodies these 3 units. Both machines are grounded to case 6 atgrounding screw 80, using a No. 12 3 conductor multistrandrubber-covered approved cord 45.

3,715,862 Patented Feb. 13, 1973 "ice A component of an automaticbagger, rectangular vertical box 12 /2" x 14" x 29" whose base 74 has a20 angle to allow for 64 adjusting bolts. 75 is a 20 slanting sub-baseto support folded bags, lSaid base is not fastened, but rests on 4angular supports. On bottom of sub-base 75, angle 72 is attached andsolenoid 60 body is attached. The tongue of solenoid 76 is attached toanother angular iron 59, and both then put under a strain by spring.Five rubber rollers 58 are activated by belt-driven motor 62, FIG. 1A.When 51 bag is packed (FIG. 2) and control button 53 on box 5 is pushedup, electric power from junction box 6, through cable 44 (FIG. 3) andthrough receptacle 49 (FIG. 1) simultaneously causing solenoid 60 toclose, also causing vibration to bounce all bags upward and forward,followed by 57 follower and bag-support, FIG. 1A. At this time,rubber-rollers are turning counter-clockwise and bag is rising upward inthe bagfeed and through counter by way of adapter 67 and approximately3" above the counter, When the packed bag is counter height, electricalsupply is automatically cut to the bagger in bag-feed. No action is madein the bag-feed at down-stroke of automatic bagger.

FIG. 2

This drawing was made with a girl using the automatic bagger. Theregister, counter, and groceries are not part of invention. They areused only to illustrate the new method and practicability of same.

FIG. 3

This is a side left view, showing the piston 1 tilted. Machine can beplugged by 45, all starting switches 7, 8 and 9 are flipped up ready tooperate.

FIG. 4

Looking directly down into piston 1 with piston plate 25 removed, we seea /2" shaft 11 centering a 2" gear 39 meshing rack gear 40, this rackattached to a 1" x 2" H-mernber 24 in guide 23. The inverted section ofH- mem-ber 24 slides up and down in a guide as shown in FIG. 1. Thisguide is attached to the bottom of piston 1. As piston 1 tilts, theguide also tilts (FIG. 3 for example). As the motor turns clockwise,brake lining 38 pressed by spring 36 is causing friction and shaft 11turning clockwise, gear also turning clockwise causing piston 1 to tiltforward and hold in that position as motor 3 ceases on the upstroke. Theopposite will occur returning piston 1 to vertical.

FIG. 5

This is a prone view looking from the rear of automatic bagger.

This 2" x 11" board 41, being attached to the underside of piston 1,supports the spring loaded, long-bladed upper 42 and lower 43 limitswitches and associated wiring.

Coinciding with movement of said board, the piston tilts, allowingstrike bolt 46 mounted on the lower end of H-member 24 (FIG. 4) and rackgear 40 to control upper and lower movements.

First form This shows structure and union of parts in automatic bagger.The tilt-out position of piston 1 is slightly larger than the standardgrocery bag, 7" X 12" x 17". The bag is to be inserted into piston 1.The supporting base 2 is made of A1 plywood and supports the piston.Horizontal shaft 11, FIG. 3, runs through base to left side of pistonand out the right side of piston through right supporting base. On saidshaft inside of piston a friction arrangement, as described in FIG. 4causes the pistonbox to tilt. The operator touches up control, and thepiston box goes to vertical.

Motor 3 is horsepower with reduction gears and is reversible. FIG. 1sliding control glass illuminated window with up and down arrows, 54down 53 up. FIG. 5 a metal box having a reversing switch and a smallsignal light shows the systems energized. This control slides slightlyon end of metal box 5. 6 is the metal electrical system box feedingpower to all components. The main disconnect toggles 7, 8, 9 (FIG. 1)connect power to motor 3, vacuum 20 and solenoid motor on bag-feed viareceptacles 49 and 50.

Pulley 10 powers both counter-clockwise or clockwise shaft 11 and tiltmechanism. External section is vacuum piston port 16, which is mediumfor holding bag in tilt position, vacuum routing 17, vacuum flex-plastichose 19 to vacuum system 20. As stated, this system is automatic. Pushdown 54, inner plate lowers 13". Piston tilts, vacuum holds the bag.After packing the bag, vacuum ceases, push-up control piston plate goesto vertical and a new bag is ready at counter-top through bag-feed. Anine conductor multistrand flex loop 44 energizes all components. NoteFIG. 3 with rack 40 and guide 23 H-member 24 at rear tilt attitude withrack 40 and guide 23. Here again, to accomplish vertical tilting (up anddown) is part of the invention.

Pressure is applied to brake lining 38 which is secured to 4 x 6 memberattached to floor of piston, Pressure against two inch pulley as shaft11 turns clockwise, gear will also turn clockwise. Pressure also causedpiston 1 to tilt and return.

The bag-feed as shown in FIG. 5 is a very simple machine using only 2electrical parts horsepower geared motor and solenoid) This is fullyexplained in FIG. 5, front view of automatic bag-feed.

I claim:

1. In combination with a checkout counter having a portion constitutinga loading platform: a magazine for holding a stack of bags, means forfeeding a bag to a position adjacent said loading platform whereby itcan be grasped by an operator, at pivotally mounted bag receiving well,piston means forming a movable bottom for said well, means for pivotingsaid Well about a horizontal axis, means for moving said piston means upand down in said well, and vacuum means located in the sides of saidwell to hold a bag in open position While articles are inserted therein.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 which includes manuallyoperated switches to actuate said means in sequence.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1962 Stanley 5339O X 1/1963Joyce 5339O X

